Week 13 Patrick Chou: How memories form.

Imagine this: you're hanging out with your family, surrounded by the closest to you sharing stories and laughter. Suddenly someone mentions a childhood memory that everyone else remembers - but not you. Sound familiar? Let's uncover the science behind memory formation. 

Memory formation is a dynamic process orchestrated by the complex neuronal networks and metabolic processes of the brain. Neurons are specialized cells that use electrical signals to communicate, and they are at the center of memory creation.  Neurons in different parts of the brain activate when we have new experiences, encoding the experiences into neural representations.

Memory development is mostly dependent on synaptic plasticity, or the way the synapsis can become stronger or weaker in response to activity. The repeated activation of brain circuits can strengthen synaptic connections through processes such as long-term potentiation, which makes information flow. Neuron transmitters can effectively facilitate neural transmission, can help with memory encoding a consolidation, and modulate synaptic placidity including glutamate and acetylcholine.



The process of memory formation starts with encoding which is the conversion of visual data into neuron representation. After that a process stabilizes and incorporates it int long term storage. Retrieval is the process of reassembling encoded data by turning on the interconnected network of synapses and neurons linked to the memory.
 
The creation of memories is influenced by many brain areas. The medial temporal lobe contains the hippocampus, which is essential for encoding and solidifying declarative memories. In the meantime, processing emotional memories and controlling memory retrieval are functions of brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala.

For further in depth explanation.

Comments

  1. Hi Patrick! When reading your blog, I became intrigued by your scientific breakdown of the process of forming memories and retaining these memories. You discuss the fundamental components of the brain, including neurons that direct memory creation. I have always wondered about the chemical processes in my brain when I recall certain occurrences; now, I understand the process through your concise representation of the memory formation process. Usually, scientific journals may use jargon that I am unfamiliar with; however, your blog appeals to those of all levels of scientific background, popularizing the blog and the information it contains.

    The way you begin the blog leaves an impression on the audience and reflects upon a collective memory that the audience most likely possesses. This type of introduction to the rest of your blog references a common question that many may have had—arousing inquisitive curiosity. Sometimes, when recalling a memory or dreaming, the visual images seem realistic to the extent to where I feel like I am performing these actions in the waking world. At these times, I wonder how exact these synaptic connections must delve within to cause such an accurate recollection of a hypothetical situation. Your image factually decrypts the brain into its domains and serves as a guide to understanding the ideas that you present in your blog. I will visit the resource you provide for further information to answer some queries that I have after reading your blog.

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